Russell Wilson Would ‘Love’ for Seahawks to Sign Antonio Brown

The Seahawks upgraded Russell Wilson’s supporting cast with Friday’s edition of running back Carlos Hyde. Seattle also struck a deal earlier this offseason with former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, who delayed his expected move to the Fox broadcast booth for the chance to suit up with a future Hall of Famer. The Seahawks aren’t exactly hurting for weapons, but according to John Clayton of ESPN 710 in Seattle, Wilson knows at least one way their offense can still improve.

Per Clayton, the 31-year-old QB would “love” for the Seahawks to add Antonio Brown to the team’s receiving corps. Brown, of course, has been out of work since his one-game stint with New England last fall. A seven-time Pro Bowler who led the league in receiving touchdowns as recently as 2018, Brown flamed out with the Steelers in spectacular fashion, burning every bridge on his way out of the Steel City.

AB’s brief tenure with Oakland was just as tumultuous with the wide receiver ruffling feathers by refusing to play unless the league reinstated his preferred helmet (he later softened his stance on that particular sticking point) and suffering extreme frostbite from a botched cryotherapy session. Brown scored a touchdown in his lone game with New England but was cut shortly after reports surfaced of his alleged sexual misconduct. The 31-year-old was arrested in January (which came shortly after he was dumped by long-time agent Drew Rosenhaus) on charges of felony burglary conveyance, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal mischief. He was released from Broward County Jail on $110,000 bail.

Reluctant to take the PR hit, teams have largely avoided the high-maintenance receiver, though the Saints did bring him in for a tryout late last season. The Buccaneers, quarterbacked by Patriots alum Tom Brady, were a rumored destination for AB at one point, but that premise was rejected at the urging of head coach Bruce Arians, who rarely saw eye to eye with Brown during his time as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.

Brown’s talent has never been in question and the 10-year veteran still has plenty of NFL allies including Lamar Jackson, who he caught passes from earlier this offseason (Jackson’s Ravens teammate, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, is AB’s cousin). But given his off-field demons and consistently disruptive locker-room presence, is he really worth the risk? That’s up to the Seahawks, though don’t expect a decision right away. According to Clayton, if Seattle does decide to roll the dice on Antonio, it wouldn’t be until “late July or August.”

With Brown likely to face repercussions for his alleged off-field transgressions—a suspension of some sort seems inevitable—it would be surprising if the controversial wideout resurfaced anytime soon. The Seahawks’ starting tandem of Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf is among the league’s strongest, though the rest of their receiver depth chart is much murkier. Clayton suggested Seattle could address that need by bringing back former NFL receiving yards leader Josh Gordon, pending his reinstatement for repeated violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.